Life is all about choices and attitude. Make the right choices, keep a positive attitude-- and you will find JOY through all of your ups and downs. Hope you enjoy my thoughts!

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My March Header is our Home in the Snow -taken on 2/18/15.

Friday, January 11, 2013

Around our Home in December/January

Today I will share with you some of our birds, deer --and a beautiful picture (above) I took of our sky one evening in December, 2012. Isn't it gorgeous? We had so much rain and dreariness in December --that when we did get a pretty sky (here and there), we had to get out and take a picture...

We see deer around our home ALOT all year long... Recently, I'm sure they are hungry --so we seem to see them more on the golf course fairway behind our home. Even though there's not much for them to eat in our yard now, we still spray Liquid Fence to keep them OUT of the yard. BUT--I love deer. Aren't they gorgeous? There were about 4-5 of them that day--and they were staring at me.... ha

One of the deer came a little closer ---so I could get a better shot with my long lens. Isn't he just gorgeous?

And on another day, another group stopped by --and I got this picture of one of them who came a little closer into our backyard. Love those big ears--although they aren't nearly as large as the Mule Deer.. Have you seen them?

I showed you some of my Backyard Birds in THIS post on December 17, so today I will show you a few more of my little Darlin's.... I've talked about all of our Goldfinch this year... But--we also have some HOUSE FINCHES around... Here is one (above) of the Male House Finches... I love his RED colors.

The Bluebirds have been coming around alot lately --as do most of the birds when it's winter and COLD... This is a gorgeous picture of a male Bluebird --with a Goldfinch and a Tufted Titmouse I think to the left. EASTERN BLUEBIRDS are still some of the prettiest little birds around I think.

Here is a picture of two Bluebirds at the suet feeder... Bluebirds ---as do most of the birds--will eat most anything during the winter. They seem to like the suet and also the fruit/nut combination in the plate feeder.

I love our little DOWNY WOODPECKERS. Like the Red-bellied Woodpeckers, they are with us year-round---and love the suet...

Here is one of my all-time favorite birds, the huge PILEATED WOODPECKER. They (like the Red-bellied Woodpeckers) make alot of NOISE before coming to the feeders. AND --even though they are very large birds, they seem to be able to handle themselves quite well at the feeders... Sometimes they come to this feeder and hang on --and other times, they come to the other suet feeder...

Finally, here are a couple of photos I took of another favorite bird, the NORTHERN FLICKER WOODPECKER... I love these birds --and was lucky to catch him on the deck...

Here's one more of that gorgeous Northern Flicker. He's looking up at the suet feeder waiting his turn for some dinner!!!!!

Hope you enjoyed seeing pictures around our home this past month or so... There's never a dull moment living here in the mountains of Tennessee...

On another note, prayers for the family of Leontien--who lost her battle to cancer on Wednesday. Many of us have followed her on Blogger --and have prayed for her. She certainly fought the good fight. I'm not sure I've ever seen anyone fight as hard. God rest her soul. She is now out-of-pain and with God....

Aww Betsy, I was so enjoying your post till I got to the awful news about Leontien. That hit me so hard and the tears just started. I so hoped that lovely girl would beat the odds. You are right, she is now out of pain but I will continue to pray for Bastiaan. What a love story they had. I am typing thru tears now.

You asked about the job - I emailed the boss on Monday, and she said there was a delay in sending off the paperwork because she got the flu over Christmas. But it's sent off now, and she said she'd be contacting my references this week, and will hope to let me know something in the next 2 weeks.

I am just so sad. I read the news last night and it hit me hard. Even though I was afraid she wouldn't make it, I was still praying for a miracle. It just doesn't seem fair that someone like her so full of life and hope and dreams should be gone now.I love your photos, Betsy. Thanks for brightening a gloomy day.Hugs, Cheryl

I see all those same birds but they don't have the same habits here. Bluebirds don't bother the suet feeder neither do the Pileated woodpeckers. I enjoyed your close ups with that great camera. Maybe someday I'll update mine.

Our sympathies go out to those who have faced such loss - sad times. May God be their comfort and strength.

Loved visiting with your deer and birds - there is never a dull moment - and, now, after that hard-working cleaning lady did your windows - you'll even be able to see outside more clearly! Hope you paid her well - that's usually a thankless job. One rainstorm and all's a mess again!

Betsy, honestly, you and George are taking professional quality pictures! That bright red sky so attractive,.. then all of the Tennessee wildlife shots are also great. But - best of all - I thought was the picture of your home in the snow. Gave me a "warm fuzzy, close to the fireplace, quite" feeling.

So sorry to read about your friend who lost her battle with cancer. My prayers went up spontaneously for her family.

What a beautiful sunset!I have those same birds and I love them all too. Bluebirds are my favorite too. I didn't see any until we got that snow right after Christmas and now they are here everyday.Sorry to hear about your friend.

That one little deer seems to be saying, "Let me pose for you." So neat. We have had a lot of them around here this winter also. We even have been seeing one with antlers--we don't always see those guys.

And how blessed you are to have bluebirds. You must have them all year long. I have only seen one passing through about a year or two ago. I know they are in the area, but not necessarily in my woods.

Beautiful, beautiful deer! I guess the Liquid Fence works...how often do yo have to reapply it? The bluebirds are the prettiest today, but YEAH, it is a rare day when you show a flicker, and this one is the sharpest pictures of any!

You must live in a wildlife paradise.I love the Bluebirds,they are pretty and always have a gentle look about them. Now if I could train my deer to come during the day like yours,I'd be smiling. Mine always sow up after dark and then come quite close to the house.

Love your bird shots of course. I just took a pic of a pileated yesterday. He was squawking and beating atop a telephone pole. We have Flickers year round also. Pretty bird and love the apples hanging on the trees.Deer love the apples too and clean up all the windfalls. We like them to do that.

Oh Betsey, thank you for showing us your wonderful bird photos. Your pics are beautiful. We are sad here this year. We always feed the birds but this year we (and our neighbors) have hardly any birds. But someone told us it is because we have hawks and vultures hanging out near here. Oh, my those vultures are ugly and nasty. So must be our wonderful birds have moved away until the vultures and hawks leave.Oh we miss the birds so much. Thank you for letting us see your gorgeous birds. Have a peaceful weekend, Betsey,

Love all the beautiful wildlife! I'm a little jealous that they like to show up in your backyard. We're taking advantage of the warm weather Monday and going on a hike at one of our local state parks, can't wait to get on a trail!!!! Hopefully I'll be able to find something to photograph! Have a wonderful weekend.

You have such a variety of birds coming to feed and a wonderful opportunity to photograph them. They are a delight.Our Royal Society for the Protection of Birds in the UK is doing a survey this month of the type of birds we see in our garden and I want to join in. From the comments I guess many of yours are quite common in the US, but I think they are splendid and exciting to see. Thank you - your photos are so clear. I particularly like the markings on theNorthern Flicker. Have a good weekend, Betsy!

No I did not like the photos of the birds at all - I LOVED THEM! Awesome. You took some great photos there of the birds and deers. They look close enough to touch. I did not know bluebirds had a reddish underbelly.

You live in a very real paradise, Betsy! There is so much life around -- from wildlife to abundant green and gorgeous snow! Your pictures are so beautiful and I always feel so up after a visit with you.

That said, what heartbreaking news about Leontien! May she rest in peace after such a hard and courageous fight!

Hi Betsy, the sunset shot seems like there is a very wide bushfire around. Your visitors seem to be so happy in your neighborhood. What is the blogsite of Lontien, I maybe not her follower but i pray for her soul now!

Though I can't seem to read all my blogger friends' posts because of school responsibilities, I do try to catch at least one a week.I was quite happy that this one was on your backyard visitors---always a smile-inducing one!The deer seem to be pleading with you to quit using that nasty, smelly stuff so they can better visit you. Ha! They really mean eat whatever they can find!:>)

My favorite birds this time: the red male House Finch---I've never seen one before and the Northern Flicker Woodpecker--not seen it before either.But as always I smile at the attitude in the eyes and body language of the eastern bluebirds.

I did not know of the blogger of which you spoke, but your tribute to her was lovely and touching.

It is sooo green around your home compared to ours. I wish we could have some of your rain. The deer are gorgeous don't you just want to give them a pat. Cute birdies too I love the speckles on the last woodpecker.

It was so sad to hear about Leontien. I know she is with the Lord now and has only joy and perfect health and for that we can be happy, but her family I know are all so sad for their loss. You asked about Mom & my birthdays, and yes, they are very close together...she came home from the hospital with me on her 18th birthday! :-) Two years ago Dad died on the 3rd (the day after my bday) and was buried on the 5th (the day before hers) and she had a little bit of a rough time this year.

Loved your photos. That Northern Flicker is wonderful! And look at that deer's sweet face!!!! :-)

Here I am, back again to catch up! I LOVED the falling snow in your header photo...looks like my yard right now. I noticed a little heart on the little deer that came closer to you to view! And thank you so very much for taking great care of the bluebirds, hopefully we shall see some returning here in the late spring.

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About Me

Welcome to my blog. Hubby and I are retired and live in beautiful Fairfield Glade on the Cumberland Plateau in Tennessee. We enjoy Traveling, Hiking, Searching for Waterfalls, Gardening (especially flowers including our ROSES); and I love my Backyard Birds and also working on Family History. Hope you enjoy my blog!